Renewal

Renewal is when your carrier evaluates your account and offers (or declines to offer) coverage for the next policy period. Most carriers issue renewal terms 30 to 60 days before your policy expires, giving you time to review the new premium, check for coverage changes, and shop alternatives if needed. For tree service companies, the renewal process is a critical annual checkpoint.

Several factors influence your renewal terms: your claims history over the past three to five years, changes in your revenue or payroll, whether you have added or removed services (such as starting crane work or chemical application), and broader market conditions in the tree care insurance segment. A clean loss year typically earns flat or reduced renewal pricing, while a year with significant claims can trigger premium increases of 20% or more.

Do not treat renewal as a passive event. Start the process 90 days before expiration by gathering updated information for your agent: current payroll figures, revenue projections, an updated equipment list, employee count, and any new certifications or safety program improvements. This gives your agent time to market your account to multiple carriers and negotiate the best available terms.

If your carrier issues a non-renewal notice — meaning they will not offer coverage for the next period — you typically have 30 to 60 days' notice depending on your state. Non-renewal is not the same as cancellation; it simply means the carrier has chosen not to continue the relationship. Your agent should immediately begin remarketing your account to other carriers and the E&S market to ensure continuous coverage.